Liverpool vs Arsenal: They can’t cope with the idea of Sadio Mane running at Stephan Lichtsteiner

Arsenal fans can’t cope with the idea of Liverpool star Sadio Mane running at Stephan Lichtsteiner on Saturday evening.

Hector Bellerin pulled up injured as the Gunners drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace and that’s making their supporters very nervous.

Bellerin has been the first choice right-back under Unai Emery, despite the signing of 34-year-old Lichtsteiner during the summer transfer window. The former Juventus man has had a stellar career, but would get ripped to shreds by the pace and dribbling ability of Mane.

The 103 cap Swiss international has only started two leagues games this season and has had to settle for a role warming the bench.

While Lichtsteiner may have valuable experience thanks to his 585 club career games, he no longer has the pace to deal with Liverpool’s lightning attack. And Arsenal fans know it.

Cutting in from the left, Mane would cause the veteran problems all day long and would be odds on to add to his six Premier League goals for the season.

If Granit Xhaka is forced to play as a left-back again it could be an extremely long 90 minutes for Emery and his men, although a journalist from the Evening Standard thinks Nacho Monreal will be fit for the weekend.

Arsenal are in the middle of an excellent run of form, but injuries have hit their squad at the wrong time. The Reds’ key players are finding form and squad rotation members are pushing hard for more involvement, and that means Jurgen Klopp will be able to keep things fresh and exciting for Saturday.

The beauty about that is even if Mane or Mohamed Salah has a stinker and is hauled off, Xherdan Shaqiri can come on and buzz around tired legs and pull players out of position.

Gunners fans can’t cope with the idea of Mane running at Lichtsteiner, and they have every right to be concerned.